We were down in Exmouth this weekend for the EDGE Race Cup – this is the British Hydrofoil Racing National Championships and the only major race event in the UK calendar. There were more entries for than before and the racing was closer than ever before. We were very lucky to have Flysurfer designer Bennie Boelli down for the weekend. He brought down a few sets of the new SONIC Race straight out of production. It was great to see these kites in the sky and how well they perform.

Saturday was tricky with the weather. Conditions kept changing with riders being overpowered one minute then no wind at all the next. Nonetheless a successful day of racing was held completing 4 races for the Pro category and 3 for the Amateurs.

After an evening do hosted at the excellent Pebblebed Vineyard racing was resumed on Sunday. The wind was on, the sun was out and an excellent day of racing ensued. The competition was close between Olly and Guy Bridge for the #1 spot, with Olly maintaining his lead. The competition for 3rd and 4th between Benni and Connor was even closer with Benni eventually taking the final podium spot giving Flysurfer and the new SONIC Race the full podium after 8 races.

Final Results Edge Race Cup 2017
PRO DIVISION:
1st – Olly Bridge – FLYSURFER / LEVITAZ
2nd – Guy Bridge – FLYSURFER / LEVITAZ
3rd – Benni Boelli – FLYSURFER / LEVITAZ

PRESS RELEASE

This weekend saw the 8th annual edge race cup sponsored by Exeter City Futures take place in Exmouth Devon. Over 30 riders registered for the event with international riders arriving from France and Germany to compete in the professional fleet.

Saturday saw racers in both the amateur and professional fleets face challenging conditions as the winds rose upwards of twenty knots as localised squalls passed through before dropping back to single figures at times.

Racing was tight in the pro fleet but Olly Bridge was dominant, recording a string of victories with brother Guy and German rider Benni Boeli close behind.

In the amateur fleet lance Olner fought a tight battle at the top of the fleet with Jonny Hutchcroft but as with the professional fleet one man consistently came out on top, with Lance Olner recording back to back victories. Further back a 3 way battle developed for 3rd, with Tom bridge, Gareth Mogs and Darren Hammond all recording a podium finish.

Chunk provided racers with local delicacy steak pasties between races, with Levitaz and North kiteboarding providing demos of the latest equipment at beach HQ.

Following the race the riders convened at local vineyard Pebblebed, for a fantastic evening of socialising, great food and local wine. A silent auction raised an amazing total of £820 for Surfers Against Sewage, with prizes generously provided by:

– Edge Watersports
– Bumble and Bee
– W Trout & Son
– Aspara
– River Exe Cafe
– Exewake
– Rockfish Exmouth
– Pebblebed Vinyard

Sunday saw fantastic conditions, bright blue skies with steady southerly winds. Following the race briefing riders hit the water for the first of three morning races. In the amateurs Jonny Hutchcroft overturned Lance Olners dominance winning two of the three races, meaning the top two were tied on points heading into the midway point on the final day.

In the professional fleet local riders Guy and Olly Bridge extended their advantage in first and second place respectively, as Benny Boeli battled with Connor Bainbridge battling it out for the final podium spot with only a point seperating them after 8 races.

Following a short break riders hit the water for the final 3 races of the day. The second race of the afternoon saw huge moments in both fleets with Olly Bridge out in front once again in the professional fleet only to come unstuck as he crashed in a big way after sailing into some underwater debris. Likewise Tom Bridge was leading the way in the amateur fleet right up until the final mark when he also crashed spectacularly and was overtaken by his rivals, unfortunately this saw the end of Toms podium challenge as despite a 1st place in the days final race he was unable to overturn the deficit to Gareth Mogsy Morgan in 3rd. Meanwhile Lance Olner completed the afternoon races on top pushing rival Jonny Hutchcroft into second place.

In the Professional fleet after a solid afternoon Benni Boeli kept Connor bainbridge at bay to finish third finishing behind home riders Olly and Guy Bridge.

Edge would like to thank all their sponsors who contributed to this years Edge Race Cup :

– Exeter City Futures
– Surfers Against Sewage
– New Devon Army
– New Devon Brewing
– British Kite Sports
– Cat Rugged Phones
– Chunk of Devon
– Pebblebed Vinyard
– North Kiteboarding International
– ION
– Levitaz

FINAL RESULTS

PROS:
1st – Olly Bridge
2nd – Guy Bridge
3rd – Benny Boeli

AMS
1st – Lance Olner
2nd – Jonny Hutchcroft
3rd – Gareth Mogsy Morgan